HI everyone, I haven't needed to post anything about me and my Lupus for quite a while, but things seem to be changing .

My platelet count has been going down for about 3 months now. They're at the point where intervention is needed. My numbers go up and down between 45 - 85. (120 is normal). This week they're 62. I'm bruising like crazy, I look like a dalmation. To make matters worse, I'm on warfarin, so the risk of bleeding is much higher.

Doctors have done various tests to rule things out. One of my compliment tests (C4) came back low - which means there is disease activity going on. We just don't know which disease. It's likely that it's my Lupus, but all my other blood tests look great. It's just the platelets that are wonky. It's a bit of a mystery.

Just wondering if anyone else has had low platelets due to their Lupus, or if you've had this due to a different disease or condition? I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. Phillipians4:11-13

Do meds affect your platelets? I know low platelets can be caused by Lupus, but not sure on the meds. Never had a problem with mine, just my WBC is borderline low all the time. I'm hoping you get some answers. Will be keeping you in my thoughts.Dx: IBS 1989, Diverticulosis 2004, Idiopathic Acute Colitis 2006, UCTD 2007, Localized Scleroderma 2009, Raynauds 2009

Yes actually! I started taking Gabapentin (Neurontin) about 6 months ago. It's the only med that I have started since my platelets started to fall. 1/1000 people will get thrombocytopenia from taking it. So I'm tapering off of it right now. We'll see if it's the cause or not. I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. Phillipians4:11-13

Lupus can eat your platelets.....they did mine. I had low platelets for at least 15 years before becoming symptomatic as well as mild anemia. Was not sick in the first 62 years of my life. Then the platelets dropped lower and my docs sent me to a hematologist thinking I might have leukemia or a bone marrow disease. After 9 months of testing...nothing. My hematologist speculated that I might have lupus and bingo....2 motnhs later I became symptomatic.

My platelets are just below normal now but I am not on any blood thinner. Imuran did lower my platelets and I am now on 1/3 the original dose and my platelets are near low normal now which seems to be good for me.

It is definitely something to check out but it can be very difficult to figure out what is causing it. Based on my experience I would say it is your lupus most likely.

Mine were as low as 25 and are now 130-150. 150 is the bottom range of normal in most labs.

Hey Bill thanks for your input. I appreciate the first hand experience with this. I'm also wondering if it might be the Imuran I'm on. SIGH, I don't know. I'm in a quandry. I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. Phillipians4:11-13

Hey Ginny! Its great hearinng from you agan and sorry you are having trouble again! When I was on Imuran, my white and red blood cells did drop, but it started happening pretty soon after I started taking it. When they took me off of it, my counts went back up to normal!

How is your workout going? Are you still haveing the great results? Has it helped your pain? How long is the workout each day? I am starting to look for something to help with the weight I put on from the pred at the begining of the year...

Imuran can hit the blood counts after long term use. My WBC, RBC and platelet counts dropped after 18 months at 150mg. My rheumy dropped to 100 then 50mg and everything stabilized or improved. It has been 2 years since reducing imuran and my blood numbers look good. For whatever reason my platelet count is a little on the low side but I have never had a problem with bleeding even when it was low. Must be my "norm."

Imuran is a cytotoxin and is in effect a poison so it can cause these problems. Most people tolerate it very well but some do not.

Hi Ginny (((hugs)))) I was just reading about how lupus can affect the blood. My WBC, RBC are usually always low which is from lupus and recently my absolute lympocyctes was really low. Here is a link on it: www.uklupus.co.uk/fact14.html

My rheumy told me when your body rejects Imuran it usually shows across the board, affecting the WBC,RBC, Platelets, etc.

I hope you get some answers soon! Take care of yourself!StacieTrust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding ~ Proverbs 3:5 ~

Hi Amy! I haven't worked out in 3 days now. My Fibro is really bad and I'm just feeling all over crappy. I'm giving myself another day or so and then I'll try getting back to it. Each routine is 60-90 minutes long. Yoga is the longest at 90 minutes. It's an amazing workout. I burn 700+ calories! Crazy. I definitely went too hard in the month of June. I had 3 huge, 12 hour weddings to shoot, plus I was doing all this exercise. NOT a good idea. I'm paying for it now.

Hey Bill, I've been on 150mg for 9 years. LOL. A wee bit of a while! My dose hasn't changed at all. I do have a hematologist and I'm waiting to get an appointment, but it's taking too long to hear from his office. I'll be seeing my family doctor this coming week and I'll talk with him about all of this.

The other thing that sucks is that my rheumy is moving to another province. In fact she's already left her practice here, so I can't see her. Bad timing.

Stacie, thanks for telling me about how Imuran usually affects across the board. All of my CBC results are totally normal except the platelets. That has stumped my internal medicine specialist.

I guess I just have to wait this out for a bit.I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. Phillipians4:11-13